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passing (n.)
"death," 1869, a euphemistic verbal noun from pass (v.) in such Middle English phrases as passing of death, passing of the soul (c. 1300). A passing-bell (1520s) was a church bell tolled at the time of a person's death.
passing (adj.)
mid-14c., "transitory;" late 14c., "going by," present-participle adjective from pass (v.). Also from late 14c. as "surpassing, excellent," and "casual, superficial, cursory, as though done in passing." Related: Passingly.
updated on February 10, 2020
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Dictionary entries near passing
passer
passer-by
passerine
passible
passim
passing
passion
passionate
passive
passiveness
passivist